Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 44160, Frederick Gibbs, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Gibbs, Frederick
S 44160
CONTENTS

Albany
20.363.
Frederick Gibbs
of Albany in the State of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Dix of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Vose in the Massachusetts line, for the term of two years from the year 1781 to the year 1783
Inscribed on the roll of Albany at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 29 th day of October 1831 .
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of October 1831 and sent to Hon. J. Beardsley: Utica N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of March 1832 . 33.80 Semi-annual all'ce ending
$ 33.80.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
See letter June 10. 1845 to Hon. G. Bancroft recd. Sec. War. do to Hon. D.S. Dickinson Sept. 17. 1846.
Letter to Hon. O. B. Mottern September 18, 1850
Let to same Dec. 28/50

I John H. Ostrom clerk of the court of common pleas of the County of Oneida do certify that the signature of Oliver Prescott Jun. to the affidavit of Deborah Howe hereto annexed, is genuine & that said Prescott at the date thereof was a justice of the peace as therein stated; Also that the signatures of said Prescott & Samuel Dake in to a certificate, hereto annexed and dated May 20 th . 1831 are genuine & that they were then severally justices of the peace as therein stated; Witness my hand & the seal of said court this thirteenth day of September 1831.
J. H. Ostrom clerk

State of New-York } ss: Onida County }
On this thirteenth day of September 1831, — personally appeared in open court, in the court of Common Pleas of said County, said court being by statute law, a court of record, Frederick Gibbs, resident in said County, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the pro- vision made by the acts of congress of the 18 th March 1818, and the 1 st May 1820: that he the said Frederick Gibbs enlisted as a soldier, for the term of three years, in the month of March in the year 1781 at Rutland in the state of Massachusetts, under a Mr Kelly a recruiting officer and joined the company commanded by Capt. Dix in the regiment commanded by Colonel Nixon in the line of the state of Massachusetts on the Continental establishment: that he continued to serve in the said corps until the summer of 1783 or some time in the fall of that year, when he was dis- charged from the service at Westpoint in the state of New York, by General M c Dougal, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion, except the present: that he was, in the battle at Yorktown at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and in a number of skirmishes: that his written discharge has been accidentally destroyed: that he joined Capt. Dix's company at Westpoint: and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension, that is to say, the said applicant applied in December 1818 under the act of congress first above specified, in which application it was stated, by mistake, that he joined the company commanded by Capt. Dix in the eighth regiment of the Massa- chusetts line, under the command of Col. Webb, whereas in truth Col. Nixon commanded said regiment, and which said error occurred as follows That is to say, when said papers were prepared for said application in December 1818 (and which papers

are to be forwarded with this declaration,) the person who was engaged in preparing them, asked said applicant if he was ever on a command , by which he understood the inquiry to be whether he was ever detached and sent on some extra duty as a scout, and to which said applicant replied that he had often been on such duty and under several officers, and mentioned as one of such officers, one of Col. Webb's regiment, and upon which, as said applicant supposed, the person who was so preparing said papers inserted that Col. Webb commanded said eighth regiment and that said applicant served in said eighth regiment under his command, and the same was signed by said applicant without distinctly understanding what had in that respect been written and without his being aware that any thing like particularity was desired, nor was said applicant at all aware that a statement of the company or regiment in which he served, or of any of his officers, was in any respect necessary: said applicant further saith that said application was rejected, after which he applied to Henry R. Storrs Esq. then member of Congress to obtain said pension, but none was obtained: that said applicant being ignorant and illiterate, did not well know how or in what manner to proceed, but during the last spring he went personally to the city of Washington to endeavor to obtain a pension, but so far he has been entirely unsuccessful.
And in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was, a resident citizen of the United States of America on the 18 th day of March 1878, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service

of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18 th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts or debts due me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. That since the 18 th of March 1818, no changes have been made in my property except as stated in said schedule.
Sworn to & subscribed in } (signed.) open court this thirteenth } Frederick Gibbs. day of September A. D. 1831. }
(signed.)
C. Hayden first judge.
Schedule.
Real estate , I have none of any description, nor had I any on the 18 th March 1818 or at any time since.
Personal estate , I have not any of any description, except my clothing which is very ordinary and which is not all worth more than ten dollars: my clothing was a little better in 1818 but that has all long since been worn out: at that time I had no property but clothing nor have I since had any but clothing and that of a poor description.
I have no wife or children nor have I ever had any.
About twenty years since I was very badly hurt and have not since been fit for much labor of any kind, I however do a little light work in order, as far as I can, to pay for my food and clothing, as I wish at all events, to keep out of the poor house.
(signed.) Frederick Gibbs.

I John H. Ostrom, clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Onondaga, do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the court, that the said Frederick Gibbs did serve, as a soldier, in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and upwards, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is ten dollars and no more.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this thirteenth day of September A. D. 1831.
J. H. Ostrom Clerk

Personally appeared before me Oliver Prescott Jr justice of the peace Joshua Howe of New Hartford County of Oneida and State of New York & saith that he was knowing to Frederick Gibbs enlist- ing in the United States service for the term of three years and was enrolled in the Light Massachusetts Line under Col. Nipon, Capt Dix's Company in the year 1780 or 1781. and did service for the space of nine months or until the army was disbanded. Said Frederick Gibbs was from Rutland in Massachusetts
Subscribed and sworn before me this 15 day of July 1831. Joshua is Howe Oliver Prescott Jr Justice of the peace New Hartford July 15 1831.
I certify that this witness is a man of truth to the best of my knowledge. Oliver Prescott Justice of Peace
This affidavit of Joshua Howe, and the affidavits of Isaac Spencer, James Wheeler and the certificate of Oliver Prescott Jun. and Samuel Dakin, were attached to the papers with which they are now connected, by wafers, by me, for the greater convenience in connecting them with other pa- pers relative to the same matter.
Sept. 13 - 1831
L. Beardsley member of Congress.

personally appeared before me Behiens Myer of Wysoe County of Bradford State of Pennsylvania Bane Spencer of the same place Deposition Smith he was formerly from Rutland Massachusetts and that he was acquainted with Frederick Gibbs in Rutland and knew him to enlist in the United States Service for the term of three years the enlistment was I think in 1860 in the month of March He was mustered in Capt. Dix Company under Colonel Nions Regiment Belonging to the Eighth of Massachusetts Line I was knowingly serving through the Campaign Nine Months or more and was Discharged at West Point in October or the first November 1861 Bane Spencer
Sworn and Subscribed
Before Me
Hon. Myer Justice of the Peace
This 29 Day of June 1881
I do certify hereby that the Above Subscribing Witness is a man of good Moral
Character
Witness My hand Hon. Myer Justice of the Peace

Town of New Hartford County of Oneida & State of New York ss. I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Zenas Gibbs and Frederick Gibbs and know that the said Zenas is mentally deranged, and has been for a number of years, and I further certify that Frederick Gibbs the bearer of this is the same identi- =cal person mentioned in the affidavit of Mr Topping & Joshua Howe as having been a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution. said Frederick Gibbs is a man Seventy two years of age and may be known from any other person by his holding his head inclined to the left side in consequence of a severe bruise which befel him some years since, I have no doubt that the said Gibbs has been a Soldier and has fought to obtain the Liberties we now enjoy, and that his necessities require a pension from government, & that every citizen of the United States ought to afford him assistance and protection. Dated New Hartford May 20- 1831
Oliver Prescott Junior Justice of peace Sam Dake in justice of the Peace

Personally appeared before me John Smith justice of the peace James Wheeler of Newark County of Niagara and State of New York Deposition and saith that he was knowing to Frederick Gibbs enlisting in the United States Service for the term of three years and was enrolled in Eight Massachusetts Line under Col. Dixon Capt. Dix's Company for the year 1880 or 1881 and did serve for the space of six months or until the Army was discharged Said Frederick Gibbs was from Rutland in Massachusetts where I was knowing him to enlist
Subscribed and sworn Before me this 5 th day of July 1881
John Smith justice of the peace
Sworn July 5 th 1881 James Wheeler I certify that this witness is a man of truth to the best of my knowledge John Smith justice of the peace

State of New York } Broome County }
ss: I
Daniel Evans clerk of the county of Broome do hereby certify that John Smith before whom the within affidavit was taken & sworn to, was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the peace in & for the county of Broome and that he was duly authorized to take said affidavit - that I am acquainted with his hand writing & every letter in the signature of John Smith thereto, subscribed to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto annexed the seal of the court of Common Pleas of said County of Broome and signed my own name as clerk this Fifteenth day of October 1831. Daniel Evans clerk
James Wilson Test

State of New York } Oneida County } }
On this 29 th day of March in the year 1831 before me Samuel Dakin one of the Justices of the peace of the said county of Oneida personally appears Frederick Gibbs of New Hartford in said county, with whom I am well acquainted who on his oath maketh the following declaration, in order to obtain a pension as a Revolutionary Soldier - viz - that he the said Frederick Gibbs enlisted as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, in the town of Rutland in the state or Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the month of March in the year seventeen hundred & eighty one for the term of three years under a Mr Kelly a recruiting officer - that he was mustered at Leicester in said state, from which place he marched to West Point in the state of New York where he joined the company commanded by Capt. Dix in the eighth Regiment of the Massachusetts line under command of Colo. Nixon - that the said deponent continued to serve in said corps, to the best of his recollection until the summer of 1783 when he was discharged from service at West Point aforesaid by Genl McDougle - that he the said deponent was in the battle at Yorktown at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis & a number of skirmishes - that his discharge has been accidentally lost & that he is now more than seventy years of age & in circumstances requiring aid from the liberality and justice of his country
Subscribed & sworn this 29 th day of March in the year 1831. before me
Frederick Gibbs
Sam Dakin Justice of the peace

State of New York Onondaga County ss.
Joshua Howe of New Hartford in said County of Onondaga being duly sworn makes oath and says that he has been intimately acquainted with Frederick Gibbs now of New Hartford aforesaid for about sixty years. That said Gibbs was a soldier of the Revolution, stationed at Mahakille in about the year 1781. but this deponent knows nothing further (of his own knowledge) in reference to the enrolment of said Gibbs. but that he has no doubt, from recollection and hearsay at the time, that the representations made by said Gibbs in his affidavits herein annexed are true in point of fact. And this deponent further saith that after the close of the Revolutionary war he saw in the possession of said Gibbs some papers , purporting to be the discharge of said Gibbs from the service of the Army of the Revolution. and this deponent has no doubt that it was such discharge. That said discharge was destroyed by fire with several other valuable papers, by the little daughter of Jonas Gibbs a brother of the said Frederick in or about the year 1804. And further this deponent saith not.
Sworn this 7 th April 1831. before me
Joshua his Howe mark
J. H. Hathorn Sup t Com r

State of New York.
Onida County ss.
William Topping of Leyden in the county of Lewis a state of New York of more than sixty six years of age being duly sworn, makes affidavit & says - that he is well acquainted with Frederick Gibbs & was well acquainted with him in the time of the Revolutionary war - that he, the said deponent saw the said Gibbs several times doing duty in the army of the revolution and among the soldiers belonging to the United colonies - that the deponent was with said Gibbs in several skirmishes with the British soldiers near the lines of the opposing armies. and further saith not.
Subscribed & Sworn this 10 th day of February 1831 - Before me Samuel Dakin Justice of the Peace
William Topping
Clerks Office
Onida County ss I John H. Brown clerk of the county of Onida do hereby certify that Samuel Dakin &
Justice H. Rathbone before whom the within affidavits were taken. sworn. the said Samuel Dakin was at the time of the taking thereof a justice of the peace in & for the county of Onida and the said justice H. Rathbone a commissioner duly authorized by law to take affidavits and that I am acquainted with their handwriting & believe truly the signatures of Samuel Dakin & J. H. Rathbone thereto subscribed are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto

Subscribed my name & offered the best of the court of common pleas to the county of Dundee this 18 th day of April 1831
J. H. O'Brien clerk
Answer to be returned to Samuel D. D. Esq. W. H. H. Esq. Essex - St. Asaph
217/90

State of New York Broome County ss
On this thirteenth day of December 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, personally appears Frederick Gibbs, aged sixty years, resident in the town of Union in said county, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States, during the revolutionary war" That he the said Frederick Gibbs enlisted as a private soldier in the Army of the United States, in the town of Rutland, state of Massachusetts, in the month of March in the year 1781 - for the term of three years, under a Mr Kelly, a recruiting officer, that he was mustered at Leicester in said state, from which place he marched to West Point in the state of New York, where he joined the company commanded by Capt Dix, in the eighth regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the command of Col. Webb. That he continued to serve in said corps, to the best of his recollection until the summer of 1783 when he was discharged, from service at West Point aforesaid, by Gen McDougal - that he was in the battle

at York town, at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis & a number of skirmishes - that his discharge has been accidentally lost - & that he is in reduced circumstances, & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support, & that he has no other evidence now in his power, of his said services, except what is herewith annexed - Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid Beman Woodard
State of New York Broome County ss -
James Wheeler, of the town of Berkshires, in said county being duly sworn, deponeth & saith that he is personally acquainted with Frederick Gibbs, the above named applicant, that he has no interest in his said application - that he well knows that the said Gibbs enlisted in the army of the United States, for the term of three years, as set forth in his declaration above - & that he left the place where he enlisted, for the purpose of joining the army, & that he this deponent never heard or understood but that he the said Gibbs, did serve as stated in his declaration, & further saith not
Sworn & subscribed this 30 th Dec r 1818 before me Beman Woodard
Beman Woodard James Wheeler

State of New York Broome County ss
Huldaah Gibbs, of the town of Union in said county, being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that she is personally acquainted with Frederick Gibbs, the above named applicant, that she has no interest in his said appli- cation - that she well knows that he the said Gibbs enlisted in the army of the United States, as set forth in his declaration above, & that she has reason to believe that he did serve as stated in said declaration, and further saith not
Sworn & subscribed this 30 th  March  November Dec 1818 before me Frederick Gibbs Briant Stoddard
I Briant Stoddard, Judge as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Frederick Gibbs did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common en- emy; & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony to him & send before me to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress - I also certify that I am satisfied that he is in redress circumstances Briant Stoddard

Broome County
Clerk's office Decr 30 th 1818
I certify that Bryant Stoddard is a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said county & that the foregoing signatures, are his proper hand writing
A. Dounbarry Clerk
Frederick Giles: Private School Master Dept. Mass s June 17 th 1753.

44160 am
Rev  INVALID.
File No. 44.160
Fredrick Gibbs
Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 196
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Frederick Gibbs a Revolutionary Soldier.

Rec d To com: Oct. 29. 1831
W. Edwards
Rec d Oct. 29. 1831 from Hon. J. P. Kirtland Athens, O. 4

Utica Oct. 24 1881
Sir, I received your favor of the 28 Sept. with the papers touching the application of Frederick Gibbs. I have had the afft. of James Wheeler duly authenticated & should have sent that of Isaac Spencer to Pennsylvania for authentication, had I known to whom I could send it for that purpose. It was obtained by Gibbs himself on his return from Washington through Pennsylvania. It however occurred to me that the latter afft. if of no use in its present condition, could do no harm, and it appears to me that the proof, independent of that affidavit, is very full, & I should hope satisfactory.
Gibbs himself, says he enlisted in March '81 for three years & served till '83. James Wheeler, states that Gibbs enlisted in '80 or '81 and served for 9 months or until the army was discharged. Joshua Horne, states that he knew Gibbs as a soldier in '81 & that he subsequently saw his written discharge as a soldier. William Topping, states that he well knew Gibbs as a soldier in the army. Hulda Gibbs, states that he enlisted as set forth by her & she has reason to believe he served as stated by her.
These witnesses do not prove all that is stated by Gibbs himself, they however prove nothing in any respect inconsistent with what he sets forth: he gives a full statement of the facts and he may well do it, as they are all presumed to be in his knowledge. Others, not having his full information, state what is within their knowledge. I hope the papers as now sent will be deemed satisfactory proof of the necessary facts, if not I must send to Penn. to have Spencer's afft. authenticated.
I am Sir, Respectfully Yrs &
F. Beardsley
J. S. Edwards